Spring assembly



Nov. 13, 1945. G. E. 'TAYLOR 2,388,882

SPRING ASSEMBLY Filed March 1, r1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov.'13, 1945. G. E. TAYLQR SPRING ASSEMBLY Filed MarchI 1, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 @for Nov. 13, 1945. G. E. TAYLOR SPRING ASSEMBLY sheets-sheet :i`

Filed March 1,.194:5

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Nov. 13, 1945. G. E. TAYLOR 2,388,882

SPRING SSEMBLY Filed March l, 1943 .4 Sheets-Sheet 4 w, \|J ...r. m .www KN www Il wy/ZM Ta/Q he 6U www@ Patented Nov. 13, 1945 SPRING ASSEMBLY George E'Taylor, lc'ago, Ii1.,fassignorito vSamuel trustees ge E. maylor, jointly, ias

application March '1, 1943, seriali No. 21117,5'60 fn pleins. (clos-2215.9

lThis application is "a continuation .in part oi my copending application, Serial No. 470,252, 'filed December 26, 1942.

This invention Irelates to the construction .of spring cushions of .the character employed `in couches, .chair cushions, 'bo'x typebed springs and the like, and more particularly it ,relates to .the construction of the spring .assembly unit apart from `the upholstery which may subsequently rbe applied thereto.

In the Vconstruction of spring structures of .the aforesaid character lit is essential .that the spring assembly possess `the desired degree of resiliency when -the load is distributed thereon overa relatively large area. and .in .a .particular lmannera and yet, the construction of the spring assembly must be such that .suiiicient strength .and .resiliency is afforded to .support a corresponding load applied .thereto over a relatively small area .of the top 'o'f the spring area. To .attain .this desired functioning of .spring assemblies -of the character to 4which 'this invention relates .it has `been .customary to utilizne vertically Apositioned coilsprings mounted on a .relatively `rigid 'bottom frame nand disposed .in lclosely spaced longitudinal .and transverse rows 'on suc'h frames so that, with .the ex ception vof the marginal springs .along one or more of the edges 'of 'the assembly, the resilient weightsupporting action of each coil spring has been substantially'independent `oi. the .adjacent springs. With respect `to the marginal springs off .such assemblies it has been customary .to employ a border wire or frame .extended .along and connected to the outer edges of the upper, dat convoluticns of the marginal springs, thereby to afford a more deni'te and 4positive .support .along the edge v.of the .spring assembly, but such border wires .or frames have hadas their principal object the provision of resistance to lateral or .inward distortion of the marginal springs. While such border wires Ahave 'functioned lto ailimited .extent to 'distribute load 'to' several oi the adjacent springs, 'such distribution 'has in every .instance been relatively .ineilicient, since the .border Wire or 'frame has applied such load only at oneedge of the upper convolutionof .each `coil spring. The marginal springs foi .such a prior assembly have therefore exerted their normal load-bearing .action substantially independently of each other and in substantially the same manner as the other or central coil springs o'f the assembly, it being observed that the coiled tie Wires heretofore extended between the upper ends of the various coilsprings have had as theirpurpose themaintenance .oi the proper location of the upper .ends 55 ofthe springs rathertha'n'the distribution of 'load therebetween.

While the construction of spring assemblies `in accordance withfthe conventional methods hereinb'eiore 'set forth hasproduced satisfactory functioning of lsuch assemblies in use, it 'has necessitated 'the location of 'the coil springs .in what may be 'termed a practically side by side relationship so that a load imposed lupon 'the top of he assembly would invariably be applied .directlyto the top or upper convolution of a coil spring lor to tops of va plurality of adjacent 4coil springs. Thus a relatively large number o'f coil springs 'of relatively gre'at individual strength has 'been required in each spring assembly, and a correspondingly largefamount 'oi material v'has 'been 'required for the cross-ties 'or tie wires 'and for the Aborder wire or frame;

In 'view of the "foregoing it is an vimportant Yobject of this invention to 'reduce the numberas well as the individual strength loil" the coil springs required in Asuch spring assemblies, and in particular, it is an object of this invention vto reduce the vamount of meta-l required for springs and 'other parts Vvin the production :of such assemblies.

It 'is recognized 'that the ultimate weight-supporting action attained "in prior 'springafssembli'es is desirable and advantageous, and it is a vfurther object of this invention to ena-ble 'this 'action to be attained through the use of a substantially reduced number of coil springs in each spring assembly, to thereby reduce the arnounto'fspring metal required; 'and objects related to 'the foregoing are to enable'angincre'ased spring spacing to be used", coil springs of such assemblies to be reduced; to enable the vapplied load to be veiii'ciently distributed to a number of the coil .springs of a spring assembly; tribution by means which acts as an edge or border reinforcement along .one or more edges oi the assembly; to enable .such load distribution .to be extended both laterally and longitudinally of the spring assembly; and to attain greater distribution 'of :such 'load in one of Vsuch directions, as for example, longitudinally .oi the assembly.

Further objects of this invention .are to materially reduce l-thenumber of individual parts .required in 'the production of Aspring assemblies 'of the aforesaid character, and to simplify andreduce the number of operations involved in the assembly of such parts.

It is a further object of 'this invention to so construct and arrange a load distributing 'structure in a spring assembly that this :structure may to enable the size ofthe wire usedin the to accomplish 'such weight or load dis- 2 e. L be made /from a material such as wood, and a re lated object is to enable this supporting structure to be constructed as a unit to be thereafter placed in position on the tops of the coil springs of the spring assembly.

In many of the uses of spring assemblies of the kind to which this invention relates, and particularly inthe usepthereof in box springsV and the like, there is often a concentration of weightor load in a particular portion of the assembly, as

for example, at a point substantially midway between the ends of a box spring, and another object of the invention is to afford a spring assembly wherein such areas'v .of Vconcentrated.:load

may be properly sustained even thoughthe space ing of the individual springs oi the assembly is relatively great; and an object related tothe fore-V which such spring assemblies areused; and. obr jects related to theforegoing-are to enable .the springs to be associated withthe weight distributing structure in such a'waythat sharp ends of the wires orv otherrsecurin'g devices are shielded and concealed so as to prevent Ainjury to the upholstering applied .to such assemblies, and to accomplish this in a manner which is conveniently adaptable to factory production methods.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following descriptionand claims and are illustrated in the accom-v panying drawings which, by way of.` illustration, show preferred embodiments and the, principle thereof and what I now consider to be the best mode in which I have contemplated Vapplying, that principle- -Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principle may be used and structural'changes may be made as desiredby thosevskilled inthe art without departing -from the present inventionand the purview of the appended claims. Y Y Intliedrawing's:V Y f, l. y *A Fig; 1 isa planV view of aspring.asse'zmblyr embodying the features fof the invention;

Fig. 2' is 'a side elevational `'view of theY spring assembly; f

Fig. 3 4is an end elevationalviewlof. the spring assembly; e Y y Fig` 4` -is an enlargedfragmental portiono'f Fig. 1; Y

Fig. 5 Vis a transverse sectional View takensubj' stantially along the line 54-'5 otFig. 4; Y

Fig. 6 is a fragmental longitudinal sectional View taken substantially along the Yline 6-6 of Fig..4;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentalplan sectional :view taken substantially along the vline 'It- 1 of` Fig. 5;k

Fig. 8 is a fragmental plan view illustrating an'- other embodiment of the invention; Y

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmental portion of Fig.8;v Y Y.

Fig,A 10 is a sectional View taken along the line l-IIJofFig.9; i

Fig. v'1l is a-fragmental sectional. view taken along theline II-,,II of Figilil;V n e 'Figi 12 isa sectional view taken alongthe line l2-I2ofFig-8;

-IIJ in the conventional manner.

Fig. 13 is a plan view illustrating another embodiment ofthe invention; and

Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken along the line III-I4 inFig. 13. n

In the form chosen for disclosure in Figs. l to '7, the invention is embodied in a. spring assembly I0 adapted particularly for use in a bed spring of,Y the box type, and insuch use it will be recognizedthat ran' upper covering of upholstery or padding will be provided over the spring assembly The spring assembly I0 is rectangular in form and embodies a relatively rigid bottom frame I2 constructed from woodiin accordance with the usual practice to aord side rails I4, end rails I S and spaced intermediate crossrails I8. The arrangement and proportioning of the cross rails I8 is, however, somewhat diiierent from a conventional bottom frame yin that the spacing of the rails, which in turnV controlsv .thespacing of the vertical `coil springs 20 in one direction, is considerably greater thanusuak" n.. f,

The coil springs 20 are of the, type commonly employed in mattresses, cushions and the like and Yinclude endY Vconvolutions of substantially egual diameter arranged in planes parallel to the axisv ofithe spring, and the intermediate convolu`v tions Vare arrangedMspirally so as to be of a slightly smaller diameter. The springs 20 are supported in anvupstanding relation on the cross rails i8 of tlbtifimlframe. 2.i.r,1 laterally spaced relation andlinrows extending longitudinally and transversely o futhebottomirame, and such mounting of thef's'prings 20 may be attained in any manner which affordsa relatively stable and strong connection between'the lower end convolution of each springend the railupon which it is supported. As liereinshown such Vmounting is eiected in g accordance pvvithone known method wherein a pair oi spacedhorizontal bores 24 are formed in a.r rail I3, Figs. 5 and 7,jonxopposite sides oi the desired Vlocation of thegcenter-line of a spring 20, and theY engin of the lower end convolution of a spring V2|);isinserted, rstthrough one of these bores 24 and then through the other of the bores 2Q, thereby OTQITd a'supporting connection begigeentherail AI8 andthe lower end of the spring Y .ns hereinbefore pointed out, the spacing of the springsl 20; 'or the rows thereof, is substantially greater thanin prior spring assemblies 'of the type to which this invention pertains, particularly in a direction longitudinally of the assembly, thereby to materially reducethe amount of steel required in the production ofan assembly of a selected size and loadbearing capacity, and `in accordance with theypre'sentninvention this result is attained in such a wayA that ,in addition to the reduction in the number of fsprings, the size or gage-of the i wire used in the springs is also capable of materialreducticin` Thus, inraccordance with this invention, the springs .20 have a load-distributing top structurell associatedwith their upper ends and this,` topstructure Visso constructedand arrangedasV to minimize. thea'mount o f metal employed inthe assembly.y To thisenda plurality of strongyet relatively lbendable slats 34 and 36 are extended racross .the rtopsgof Aat .least certain of theroyvs ofjsprings 20, andin the present in-.'

stance thse'slats are extended longitudinally of thespring assembly; .The arrangement is such thatjthe slats 34 are disposed over the respective longitudinal rows of springs, ,with each slat prefe'rablyv arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to the central vertical plane of the row proper relation lto the slats.

assesses of .springs .upon which it is supported, thereby to assure :efficient application of the load :ea'cll slat 34 tothe supportingsprings 2:0.

:In accordance iwith the present invention, the slats 3'4 aand 36 which .are included iin the fload distributing structure .30 :are initially assembled as a unit which is 'thereafter put vin vposition lon the Atops 'of the 4coil springs v20 of the spring assembly. In .accomplishing this purpose, the slats 34 and 136 :are positioned so that their `opposite :ends overlie transverse slats 38, :and the slats 1234 and .36 fare secured to the transverse slats 138 by :any suitable means such :as snails 4.6. When the load-.distributing .assembly which is thus afforded is placed in position on .the tops of :the 4springs 28, .the upper end convolutions' :of the springs 228 are .secured to the Vslats 34 in :such a 'manner .that the springs `2li Yare held in the As herein shown this is :accomplished by means including transversely extending connecting wires or cross `wires 42 and 42 which are so associated with :the slats and `with the upper end convolutions of the springs 20 that :these parts are .held :in the desired relation .to each other. as shown in 4 and 5, .the cross wire 412 has .one of its ends extended downwardly through a marginal :slot-'44 formed in one of the marginal slats 34 and this end of the wire 42 is .bent about the upper end convolution of the corner spring '.20 and is then extended upwardly through the slot .44 and vbent laterally as at 46. The wire -42 .is extended entirely across the tops of .all of Athe slats .34 and 36, as is best shown in Figs. i1 and il, and the other end of the wire 42 :is connected to the opposite marginal slat 34 .and to the other Acorner spring 28 in the manner iust described.

It will be evident that adjacent to .the ends of the spring assembly, lthe intermediate or .secondary slats .36 are supported from the primary slats 34 through the medium .of the transverse slats 38, and it is for this reason that it .is .possible to extend the rwires 42 .across Athe tops lof the slats 36.. In the intermediate portions of the length of lthe spring assembly, however, .the cross wires 42 are utilized to support the intermediate slats 36. Thus as .shown .in Figs. :l and 4 the cross wires 42 have their ends 46 `secured .to the upper convolutions of the marginal springs and to the marginal slats 33 in the same manner as hereinbeiore described with respect vto the wires 42. The wires 42' are, however, yarranged so as to extend over the tops of the primary slats 34 and beneath the bot-toms `of the intermediate slats 36. Thus when a load is impressed upon one of the intermediate slats 36, this load is transmitted to the cross 'Wires 4-2 Aand thence to the primary slats 34 on opposite sides thereof.

The foregoing arrangement of `the cross Wires 42 and 42 is such that one edge of the4 upper end convolutions of the marginal springs 2i) is in each instance held in a predetermined relation to one of the slats 34, and means is associated with the cross wires 42 and 42 to hold the other or opposite edge portions of the marginal springs, and the opposite edge portions of all of the other springs in `the proper relation to the slats. .For this purpose a plurality Aof longitudinal tie Wires 48 are provided, and each tie wire 4.8 has its opposite ends extended `around the end slats 3-8 as indicated at 50 in Figs. 4 and 6 so as to be anchored to the end slats. One longitudinal tie wire 48 is disposed adjacent to the inner Aedge of each marginal slat 34 so as to be dis-posed over the points where the inner edges of the upperconvolutions lof the :marginal .springs 220 beneath-.the cross Y'wires 142 .and "4-2; :and two such longitudinal tie wires 48 are .associated with each of @the other slats .'34 `so :as Lto ibe disposed ron opposite Esides thereof .in substantially the same relation .as hereinbefore described with respect to the other Ltie wi-re48. 1 1

The tie wires 48 4are utilized l.to afford alcon'nection 'between the :cross wires .'42 .and '42 fand the upper :end convolutions of the springs 21! and this' is accomplished inthe man-ner shown in Figs. 4 and e6. As .there .shown it `will bie clear that the wire 4&8 is .extended across 'the :top of the end convolution of the spring and is then extended .downwardly under the 'end .convolution and Aupwardly :over the cross wire 42,f`the Wire 48 ibeing then extended downwardly :beneath the end .convolution Eand then upwardly and across the top :of lthe :end 'convolution and toward the next spring in the same longitudinal :row 'of springs. `lhus la substantially V-.sh'aped connection .52 iis afforded :between the fend .convolution of the .spring 20 'and 'the :cross wire i42 or 42'.. If desired the .il-.shaped '.p'ortions 452 in the longitudinal .tie wires 52 .may :be vformed in fthe tie 'wires 48 .before they are .mounted in position on the spring assembly, and .the desired associaF tion between lthe ,springs ,2.0, the `tie wires48 and cross wires 42 .may be effect-ed `by iirst .inserting the `Veshaped portions-52 through the upper :convolutions of the :springs :and thereafter passing the Wires 42 `.or 42 across `.the tops of :the slats 34 'and through the V--shaped connecting portions ;52. When the crossl wires 4.12 and 42 and the longitudinal tie wires 148 have been mounted and vconnected as .hereinbefore described, the upper end-s of' .the .springs 28 .are iirmly held in place in the .proper .relation to the slats :34 which are to be supported thereby, and `this -connection -loetween the springs 28 and the slats 34 is such that the :transmission of .load to the springs is accomplished in a highly effective manner,

It has .been pointed 'out hereinbeiore that the slats 34 and ,36 are bendable and with the construction `herein shown the stresses and strains are applied to these .slats in such a manner that the ioad will .be properly supported thereby even in the event that such slats arelmade from wood. It will be'reco'gnized -of course that the slats 4may in some instances be made from other materials such as those .formed .from wood lor bagasse in the manner disclosed in the Mason Patent No. 1,663,505 patented ,March 20., 1928. In other .instances wheremetal is readily available, this material may be -utilized in making the various slats of the upper supporting or load distributing structure 30., and when this is done, the resulting spring assembly will .accomplish at least some of the objectives of this invention, for although metal would not insuch an instance be conserved, there would, nevertheless, lbe a material simplification of .assembly operations and a reduction in the .numberof individual parts required.

Where the load distributing structure 30 is formed the manner hereinbefore described, the application rof a load to the spring structure results in distribution -of this load over a number of the .springs 26, and hence these .springs do not function as individual `load supporting elements, but .rather cooperate with each other in supporting any load which may be applied. Thus if a load is applied to one of the marginal slats 34, as `for .example at the midpoint thereof, this load willltend to bow the marginal slat 34 dow-nwardly Iand while vrnostof the :load will .be transmittedtothe two adjacent springs 20, the'bowing action of theslati34will also. apply a smallerpor tion of4 the,V load to all of theV other 'springs'which' support,N this particular slat 34.1, As the springs 20v-beneath the particular slat,34 are compressed, the cross wires ,42' will actto a limited extent 'to impart a slight downward movement to the corresponding portions of the next adjacent'slatj34,

` soV that at least a small portionof theload will be lto the tothe adjacent slats 34 and thence to the associat'ed springs '20. The load which is thus sup'- ported will of course be distributed over 'a relativelylarge number of the springs 20 in the general manner hereinbefore'described. The'connection whichis aiordedfbetween the slats 36A and the slats 34 is of course bendable in character so that the'distributionof the load transversely of the spring assembly is somewhat less inextent than the4 distribution in a longitudinal direction, and by this arrangement it has been found that the spring assembly is more eiective and desirable in normal uses thereof. It will be observed thatthe marginal slats 34 serve to afford a. uniform and adequate support along the longitudinal edges of the spring assembly, while the transverse or end slats 38 accomplish a similar function along the ends of the spring assembly, and as a result it has been found that the spring assembly of this invention is particularly suited for useina production of box springs.

Inlsome 'instances the spring assemblies of this invention may be subjected to relatively concentrated loads in particular portions thereof, and while in such cases the load distributing structure 30 will function to eiiectually distribute the load to a relativelydarge number of springs 20, the res'ulting` bowing-of the slats 34 and 36 may be considered objectionable by some users. For use in suchA instances the invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in Figs. 8 to 12 of the drawings. `As therein shown the invention is incorporated in a spring vassembly IA which is in most respects similar to the spring lassembly I of Figs. V1 to 7. The spring assembly IUA is, however, adapted to support loads concentrated near the midportion of the lengthfof the spring assembly, thereby to adapt the same for use in heavy duty box springs or the like.

-The spring assembly IDA may have the bottom frame IZA thereof constructed in Yany suitable manner, as for example, in the sameY general manner as the frame I2v of Fig. 2, and a plurality of coil springs A' are distributed and mounted on the cross rails ISA of the bottom frame IZA in the manner disclosed in Figs. 1 to '7 so as to support an upper load-distributing structure A which conforms in most respects to the top structure 30. The top structure 30A includes parallel longitudinal slats 34A and 33A connected by end rails 38A in the same manner as in the structure 30, and the springs 20A areassociated withthe slats 34A in a generally similar manner. It will be observed however that the springs assolll- border slat.`

ciated with the outer .or border slats 34A are somewhat difierent in form and these springs are therefore indicated'as springs 20B. Each spring 20B asbest shown in Fig'. 12,"is formed with 'an upwardlybet positioning bow 60 in one side of the upper convolution thereof, andv the position; ing VbowV 60is so' formed and related to the upper i convolution of the spring that the bow 60 may engage theinner side edge of the border slat' 34A which is'supported by the spring. The ar'- rangement is such that when the bow 6U is thus engaged with 'the' innerV edge of the border .slat 34A, 'the outergedge of the upper convolution of the spring 20B'is disposed entirely beneath the VWith this arrangement it will be clear' that the upper convolution of the springs 20B cannot become displacedrin an outward direction relative to 'the'border slats 34A, and hence straight and smooth border edges along the sides of the iinishedA and upholstered mattress are assured.

The springs j2A'and. 20B are secured in predetermined relation to most of the slats'of the load-distributing frame ,30A in substantially the same way as in the other embodiment of the inventionfthere being wires 48A extended between theV end slats 38A on each side of each slat 34A with the exception of the two edge or border slats. The wires 48A have V-shaped portions 52A formed therein at points spaced to correspond with the longitudinal Lspacing of the springs 30A, and these V-shaped portions 52A are inserted downwardly through and then outwardly and upwardly with respect to the upper convolutions of the springs 26A as in the other embodiment. Transverse or cross wires 42A are extended over the slats 34A and through the V-shaped portions on opposite sides of each slat 34A so asto'hold the upper convolutions in position with respect to these slats. It will be ob- -served that in this embodiment of the invention al1 of the cross wires 42A are similarly related to the slats 34A and 36A, the wires 42A in each instance being extended beneath the intermediate slats 36A in supporting relation to such slats The ends ofthe cross Wires 42A are secured to border slats 34A and to the upper convolutions of the related springs 28B, but in this embodiment of the invention the relationship is such that a longitudinal tie Wire as 48 is not required along the border slats. Thus, as shownin Figs. 8 and 12, each border slat 34A is formed with notches 44A in the outer edge thereof in positions opposite the outer edges of the upper convolutions of the respective springs 20B. Thus, at each spring 20B, the adjacent end of the adjacent cross wire 42A may be passed outwardly through the positioning bow B0 of the spring 20B, acrossthe top of the border slat 34A, and then downwardly through the slot 44A and through the outer convolution of the spring. This end of the wire 42A is then bent upwardly and inwardly, and is inserted through the adjacent positioning bow 6B, as shown at 6I in Fig. 12. Thus, the positioning bow 69 serves to hold the end 6I of the wire 42A in a horizontal or nonprojecting relation which is such that this end 6| cannot tear the upholstery or project upwardly and outwardly through such upholstery. Such anA arrangement or formation of the connection between the wire 42A and the spring 20B is relatively simple and the required oper'- ations may be quickly and easily performed by the workman. YThis mode of attachment ofthe 'wire 42A .to the spring-s 20B also 'establishes -a cooperative action between the wire 42A, the bow 6U, the slot 44A and the spring 26B which results in proper positioning of the spring 20B with relation to the border slat 34A at all times, and this relationship or positioning is not disturbed by normal movements or use of the spring assembly.

In this embodiment' 'of the invention the,

springs 26A and 20B are disposed in longitudinally and transversely arranged rows which are spaced apart in the same manner as in the other embodiment, and the springs 20A and 20B are similarly arranged to support the slats 34A while the intermediate slats 36A are supported by the cross wires 42A. Where a 'particular portion or area of the spring assembly is to be subjected to relatively heavy and concentrated loads. the present invention provides for additional resilient support in such area. Thus, as shown in Fig. 8, a transverse row of springs 126C is disposed on a transverse bottom rail AI8C substantially midway between the ends of the assembly, and this row of springs 20C is disposed midway between the two adjacent transverse rows of springs 2SA and 26B. The springs 20C, however, are arranged beneath the slats 35A so as to afford direct support for these intermediate slats, and with this arrangement an even and uniform support for the top frame 30A is allorded.

The upper ends of the springs 20C are held in the desired relation to theslats 36A by means including V-shaped positioning portions 63 formed on opposite sides ci the upper convolution of each spring 26C. The positioning portions 63 extend upwardly on opposite sides of the related slat 36A, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, and a cross wire 65 is extended across the top of the slot 36A and through the V-shaped positioning portions. As herein shown the wire 65 is also extended across the tops of the slats 34A, but it will be obvious that the wire 65 might be extended beneath the slats 34A if desired.

At its ends the wire 65 is extended across the tops of the border slats 34A and are bent downwardly through slots 66 formed in the outer edges of the border slats 34A. These ends are `then passed inwardly beneath the slat 311A and upwardly and about the wire 65 just inwardly of the slat, and the extreme ends 65 of the wires 65 are bent downwardly as shown in Fig. l0 so as to avoid possibility of injury to the upholstery. Thus the springs 20C are held in the proper relation to the midpoints of the slats 36A by the cooperative action of the V-shaped positioning portions 63 and the cross 'wire 65; and the springs 26C cooperate with the springs 26A and 26B in the two adjacent transverse rows o1 springs to support loads which may be concentrated adjacent the midpoint ofthe length of the spring assembly.

In other instances the spring assemblies of this invention may be subjected to relatively concentrated loads in other areas thereof, as `for instance, at any point along the side border edges, at the corners, or in the transverse or mid-poru tion of the assembly. It will ybe evident that the load distributing structures 30 or 36A may in many instances function to properly distribute the load in such instances, but in the event that undesired bowing of the slats occurs, theinvention may be embodied in the form illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14 of the draw-ings. As there shown the invention is incorporated i-n .a spring .as-

Vsembly IDDl which is in many respects similar :t0

the-spring assemblies I0 and IBA. The spring assembly IUD, however, is adapted to support loads concentrated in the transverse mid-portion of the spring assembly, at the corners thereof, or at any point along the side border edges thereof.

The spring assembly IUD has the bottom frame I2D thereof constructed, for example, in the same general manner as the frame I2 of Fig. 2, and a plurality of coil springs 20D and 25E are mounted in properly spaced relation on cross rails IBD of the bottom frame in thesame general manner as in the two embodiments shown in Figs. 1 to 12, and these springs are arranged to support an upper load distributing structure 30D which conforms in most respects with the construction of the topv structures 3i) and V36A. The top structure 35D includes parallel longitudinal slats 55, 56 and 5l connected byend rails 38D in the same manner as in the top structure 36. The slats 55, 56 and 5l are of the same form and construction as the slats 34 and 3 6 of the first described embodiment of the invention, and a different identication is employed with respect to these slats merely by reason ofthe different manner in which the supporting springs are distributed with respect to the several slatsV of the top structure. Thus the slats 55 constitute the border slats of the top structure 30D, and a slat 56 is disposed in the top structure next to each of the border slats `55 and on the inner side thereof. The next slat adjacent to the aforesaid slat 56 is identied as a slat 5l, and since the top structure 35D includes an odd number of slats, theslats 55 and 51 are disposed in an alternate relation so that in the present case'the top structure 36D includes a total of eleven slats.

It will be observed that in this embodiment ofy the invention a larger number of coil springs is utilized to support the top structure 36D and these springs are formed diiierently than in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 8 and are associated with the slats in adiierent spacing and arrangement so as tothereby obtain a diierent more desirable weight supporting action, and in addition, the springs are secured to the slats of the top structure 36D `in a diierent manner so that the longitudinal' tie wires such as the wires 48 or 48Aare eliminated,V and through this arrangement it is possible vtoutilize the larger number of springs without materially increasing the amount of metal required in the construction of the spring assembly.

As herein shown the slats 55 are supported by coil springs 20D, while the other slats 56 and 5l are supported by springs 20E, and while all of these springs are generally similar in form, the upper convolutions of the springs .26D are formed somewhat differently than the upper convolutions of the springs 20E. Thus each coil spring 25D has an upwardly bent positioning bow 69D formed on one side of the upperv convolution thereof in the same manner as the bow 66 hereinbefore described, and the positioning bow 60D is so formed and related to the upper convolutions of the spring that the bow 60D may engage the inner side edge of the border s1at-55,.and when the bow 56D is so positioned the outer edge of the upper convolution ofthe spring 20D is disposed entirely' beneath the border Slat. By virtue of this arrangement the4 upper convolution of the spring 26D is held'against outward displacement relative to the border slat 55 .and hence this upper the outer edge of the `border slat. As` aresult this form Aand relationship insures that straight and smooth border edges will be maintained along the sides of the finished and upholstered mattress.

,{Ihe upper convolutions of Aeach of the springs 20E is so formed as to provide upwardly extending positioning bows 63E disposed on opposite sides of the upper convolution, and these bows 63E are so proportioned that they may extend upwardly along `opposite ,sides of a slat 56 or 5lV which is to be supported thereby, the form and relationship being substantially the same as that shown with respect to the bows 63 of the spring 20C in Figs.` and l1. YThe several springs 20D and E are of course arranged so as to `aiiord longitudinal rows and transverse rows of springs, and all of the springs in each transverse vrow thereof are held in association with the slats which are supported thereby through the medium of transverse or cross wires 65D which are associated with the bows 60D and 63E in a manner which will hereinafter be described in detail.

In the present embodiment of the invention the several supporting springs are arranged in such a way as to provide an odd number of transverse rows of springs for `by this Yarrangement the provision of a transverse area of greater weight supporting' strength across the mid-por-4 tion of the assembly is facilitated. In the present case seven Such ntransverse rows of springs are afforded and such rows are identified as rows Tl to Tl respectively. It has been pointed out that this embodiment of the invention affords added weight supporting strength along the side edges, and for this reason the longitudinal rows of springs which support the border slats 55 are arranged to include one spring 20D in each one of the seven transverse rows Tlg to T1; The longitudinal rows of springs 20E which support the slats 56 are arranged to afford one spring in row TI, one spring in row T3, one spring in row T5 and one spring in row T1, while the longitudinal rowsof springs 20E which supports the slats 51 are arranged to have a spring in row T2,`a spring in row l'I'll anda spring in row T6. Hence it will be observed that there is a spring 20E located relatively close to each of the corner springs 20D and because of this arrangement it is found that additional resilient support is aorded at the corner of the assembly. Similarly, in the mid-portion of the spring assembly, that is inthe portion supported 'by the rtransverse rows T3, T4 and T5 the springs are relatively closely spaced, and in addition, as herein shown, the rows T3, T4 and T5 are more closely spaced than the other transverse rows of springs.

As hereinbefore vpointed out, a transverse or cross wire 65D is provided for each of the transverse rows of springs;l These wires 65 are extended across the tops of all of the slats, and are threaded through the positioning bows 60D of the springs 20D and the positioning bows 63E of thesprings 20E, and at the border slats 55, the ends of the wires 65D are extended downwardly through slots 44D and through the upper convolution of the border spring 20D. This end of .the wire 65D is then extended upwardly through -the slot 44D and back acrossthe top of the slat 55. The end 61D of the wire is then extended through the positioning bow 60D in thesame general manner shown with respect to the wire 42A and the end 6| thereof in Fig. 12, so as to be held down in a horizontal or a, downwardlyprojecting position wherein the end GID of the wire cannot injure the upholstery of a bed spring or the like in which the spring assembly is used.

After al1 of the cross wires 65D have Abeen put in position, the tops of all of the springs are held against movement in one direction by the upstanding portions or bows formed thereon and in the other directionby the clamping action with which the upper convolutions of the springs are held against the slats by the action of the cross wires 65D. If desired the positioningV bows D and 63D may be formed so as to be relatively high, thereby to facilitate the threading of wires D therethrough, and in such an instance the clamping action exerted on the slats by the wires 65D is of course reduced. When this is done, the desired degree of clamping action may be attained by striking each of the bows 60D and 63D with a hammer so as to thereby reduce the overall heightV of these bows and causes a slight bending of the wires 65 over the slats as indicated in Fig. 14 of the drawings.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the present invention materially reduces the number of coil springs required to produce a spring assembly, and this end is accomplished in such a manner that the individual strength of these springs may also be reduced. The spring assemblies which are thus provided serve to distribute the load both longitudinally Vand transversely of a spring assembly and this result is attained by a load distributing structure which may be formed from materials such as wood, therebyto minimize the use of metal in the spring assemblies when this is desired.

It will also be evident that the present invention enables the border springs to be held securely and accurately in position to thereby assure that the upper border edges of the box springs or the like in which the assembly is used will retain the desired uniform and straight edge throughout the useful life thereof; and this is accomplished by simple and effective'means adapted for factory production methods. Moreover, the present invention affords a novel arrangement of the springs which results in proper support of concentrated loads in selected areas thereof, and this is accomplished in such a way that a desirable weight-supporting action is attained under all conditions of use.

Hence, while Ihave illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that these are capable of variations and modication and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth,

' but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a spring assembly, a substantially rigid bottom frame, a plurality of coil springs supported in spaced and upstanding relation on.I said bottom frame and disposed in symmetrically arranged rows extending longitudinally and transversely of said frame, a plurality of at and bendable slats, one of which is extended longitudinally along each longitudinal rowv of springs so as to rest on the tops of such springs, other slats extended parallel to and between said first mentioned slats, bendable cross wires supporting said other slats from said first mentioned slats, and longitudinal tie wires extending along the longitudinal edges of said rst mentioned slats interconnecting the upper end convolutions of the springs to said cross wires to thereby maintain said first mentioned slats in predetermined relation to their supporting springs.

2. In a spring assembly, a bottom frame, a

standingJ relation on. said.. bottom frame in. posi',-v

tions aiording. spaced: longitudinaland trans.- verse.- rows of springs, a load-distributing struch ture disposed on the; tops of.: said springs. and comprising; a plurality of. parallel longitudinally extending flat slats made: from woodi and. at. least certain` of whichI are rested directly upon the upperv ends. of a. plurality of the springsg. and end slats made from wood and: respectively extended along and connected-V to` the-oppositel ends1 of. said parallel slats and supported: therebyg. crossiwires connected between the outer ones or saint parallel slats and' affording load-transmitting connections between adjacent parallel slats, and. longitudinal tie wires extended between said: end slats and cooperating.' with said cross: wires to. secure the upper-'endsl of said springsA in predetermined relation; tothe slats supported thereon.

3. In a'. spring assembly, a bottom.- frame, a, pluralityl of' coilf springs mounted in spaced.y up'.- standing relation on said? bottom frame in posi tions affording spaced' longitudinal: and. trans'- verseA rows of' springs, a load-distributing structureV disposed' on the tops. of said springsi and comprisinga plurality of' parallel longitudinally extending lat sl'atsf made from wood and atleast certain of' which` are restedE directly upon the upper ends of a pluralityl of the1 springs, cross. wires connected between1 the outer ones. of said parallel slats and aording load-transmitting connections between adjacent parallel slats; and longitudinali tie wires cooperating-'with said cross wires to secure the upper ends of lsaid springs in predetermined relation tothe slats supported thereon.

4. In a spring assembly for bedL springs, cushions and the like, a substantially' rigid bottom frame, a pluralityfo primary coil: springs secured at their lowerends on said bottom frame and disposed in spaced relation and inrows' extending longitudinally and transverselyl of' said bottom frame., a load-distributing structure carried on the upper ends or said' springs and includinga, plurality of elongated: primary` slats' and a plurality of secondary slats disposed' in parallel and alternate relation with certain of the primary slats disposed along the opposite side edges or the; load-distributing structure and constituting border slats, said primary slats being disposed along. and. rested on. the. certain of the respective longitudinal rows of springs, the border springs which support said border slats having upwardly bent. positioning portions. formed` in. their upper. convolutions thereof and disposed in abutting, relation to. the. inner edges. of said'. border slats to. prevent outward; displacement, ci the.. outer edgesof saidupper convolutions beyond'the cuter edges. of said border slats., means including. cross. wires securing said springs to. said. slats. said'. crossI wires being extended through the upwardly bent positioning portions of the respective border springs and across said border slats and being connected to the outer portions of the upper con--y volutions of said border springs, and a plurality of secondary coil springs supported on said bottom frame and disposed in supporting relation to said secondary slats.

5. In a spring assembly for bed springs, cushions and the like, a substantially rigid bottom frame, a plurality of coil springs secured at their lower ends on said bottom frame anddisposed in spaced relation and in rows extending longitudinally and transversely of said bottom frame, a

loadz-distributing structure carried on the upper ends; of said springs and including. a.. pluraliwfof. elongated primary slats andi a plurality of secondary siatsdisposedin parallel and alternate relation. with certain of.- the. primary slats disposed along.- the opposite side edges oi" the load-dis.-L tributing structure and constituting borderslats, said primary slats-being disposed. along and rested on at least certain of the respective longitudinalrows of'springs, theborder springswhichsupport said border slats havingI upwardly bent positioning portions formed` in their upper convolutions thereofand disposed in abutting relation tothe inner edges of said! border slats to prevent outward displacement of the outer edges of said' upper convolutionsA beyondtheouter edges of said border/slats, means including cross wires securing said springs tosaid primaryl slats, saidl cross wires being extended through the upwardly bent positioning portions of' the respective border springs and across said borderV slats and being connected to the outer portions of the uppercon 'volutions of said border springs;

6. In a spring assembly for bedsprings, cushions.l and the like. a substantially rigid botto-mframe, a pluralityjof coil' springs secured at their lower ends on said bottom frame and disposed' in spaced relation and in rows extendingv longitudinally and transversely of said bottom frame, a load-distributing structure. carried on the upper ends of said springs and including a plurality ofV elongated slats disposed'. in parallel relation with certain of the slats disposedv along the opposite side edgesof' the load-distributing structure and. constituting. border. slats.,l said border slats andai; least. certain other of' saidv slats being. vdisposed along and rested on the respective longitudinal rows. oi springs,l the. border. springs, which. support said. border slatsha-.ving upwardly bent positioning portions formed in. their. upper convolutions thereof; and' disnosedin abutting relation. to the inner. edges. of said. border slats. to prevent' outward displacement. of, the outer edges. of said upper convolutions. beyond. the. outer edges of said' border slats.. means irnzluding crossl wires securing said springs.. to the. slats, carried. thereby., and said cross. wires. being extended. through the upwardly bent. positioning. portions oi the re.- spectiye. border. springs and acrosssaid border *slatsv and being connected to the outer portions of the upper convolutionsiof. said. border springs...

7,. In a. spring assembly for bed springs,v cushions and the like, a. substantially rigid bottom trama a. plural-ity ot coil springs. secured at. their lower ends on said bottom frame and disposedin. spaced relation and in, rows extending. longitll: dinally. and transversely of said. bottom frame, a

load-distributing structure. carried on the upper ends. of said. springs. and. includingl a plurality ofi elongated slats disposedV in. parallel relation. with certain oil the slats disposed along. the.. opposite side edges of the load-distributing structure and' constituting border slats, said parallel slats being disposed along and rested on the respective 1ongitudinal rows of springs, the border springs .which support said border slats having upwardly bent positioning portions formed in their upper convolutions thereof and disposed in abutting relation Vto the inner edges of said border slats to prevent outward displacement of the outer edges of said upper convolutions beyond the outer edges of said border slats, means including cross wires securing said springs to the slats carried thereby, said border slats having notches formed in the outer edges thereof directly over the outerY Wardly through said slots and about the outer portions of the upper convolutions of said border springs, and said ends of said cross wires then being extended upwardly through said slots and back across the tops of the border slats and through said positioning portions so that said ends are held downwardly in a protected relation.

8. In a spring assembly for bed springs, cushions and the like, a substantially rigid bottom frame, a plurality of coil springs secured at their lower ends on said bottom frame and disposed in spaced relation and in rows extending longitudinally and transversely of said bottom frame, and a weight-distributing top structure carried on the upper ends of said coil springs and comprising a plurality of bendable slats including border slats along the side edges of said top structure and intermediate slats disposed between said border slats, at least certain ones of which are extended across the tops of said coil springs of the respective longitudinal rows, the coil springs which constitute intermediate `springs and which support said intermediate slats having Vupward bows formed in the upper convolutions to engage the side edges of the intermediate slats supported thereby, and means securing said slats to said tops of said springs and comprising transverse wires extended across the top of the slats which are sutpported by such intermediate springs and being extended through said bows, and said transverse wires being secured at their ends to said border slats.

9. In a spring assembly for bed springs, cushions and the like, a substantially rigid bottom frame, a plurality of coil springs secured at their lower ends on said bottom frame and disposed in spaced relation and in rows extending longitudinally and transversely of said bottom frame, a load-distributing structure carried on the upper ends of said springs and including a plurality of elongated slats disposed in parallel relation with certain of the slats disposed along the opposite side edgesof the load-distributing structure and constituting border slats, said border slats and at least certain other of said slats being disposed along and rested on the respective longitudinal rows of springs, the border springs which support said border slats having upwardly bent positioning portions formed in their upper convolutions thereof and disposed in abutting relation to the inner edges of said border slats to prevent outward displacement of theouter edges of said upper convolutions beyond the outer edges of said border slats, each of the other of said springs having a pair of upwardly bent positioning bows formed in the upper convolution thereof and engaging opposite side edges of the slat supported thereby, means including cross wires securing said springs to the slats supported thereby, the cross wires whichV are aligned with border springs being extended through the upwardly bent positioning portions of the respective border springs and across said border slats and being connected to the outer portions of the upper convolutions of said border springs, and the cross wires which are aligned with the other of said springs being extended through the pairs of positioning bows of such springs and across the tops of the slats intermediate the bows of each such pair of bows tc hold the bows and the related slat in predetermined relation.

10. In a spring assembly, a substantially rigid bottom frame, an upper load distributing structure including a plurality of bendable longitudinal slats and a pair of cross slats connecting the ends of said longitudinal slats, the outside ones of said longitudinal slats constituting border slats, and a plurality of coil springs supported at their lower ends on said bottom frame and connected at their upper ends to said longitudinal slats and disposed in longitudinal and transverse rows in such a relation that each border slat is supported by one spring of each transverse row while all other of the slats are supported by springs disposed in alternate transverse rows of such springs.

l1. In a spring assembly for bed. springs, cushions and the like, a'substantially rigid bottom frame, a plurality of coil springs secured at their lower ends on said bottom frame and disposed in spaced relation and in rows extending longitudinally and transversely of said bottom frame, a load-distributing structure carried on the upper ends of said springs and including a plurality of elongated slats disposed in parallel relation with certain of the slats `disposed along the opposite 40 side edges of the load-distributing structure and constituting border slats, said parallel slats being disposed along and rested on the respective longitudinal rows of springs, the border springs which support said border slats having upwardly bent positioning portions formed in their upper convolutions thereof and disposed in abutting relation to the inner edges of said border slats to prevent outward displacement of the outer edges of said upper convolutions beyond the outer edges of said border slats means including cross wires .securing said springs to the slats Carried thereby,

the end portions of said cross wires being extended through the upwardly bent positioning portions of the respective border springs and across said border slats and downwardly and about the outer portions of the upper convolutions of said border springs, and said ends of said cross Wires then being extended upwardly and back across the tops of the border slats and through said positioning portions so that said ends are held downwardly in a protected relation.

GEORGE E. TAYLOR. 

